The benefits of 'One Rank One Pension' will be applicable in case of ex-servicemen whose premature retirement was valid and legal.

NEW DELHI: The government today said the benefits of 'One Rank One Pension' will be applicable in case of ex-servicemen whose premature retirement was valid and legal.

"Any premature retirement which is valid and legally acceptable to the armed forces will be given 'One Rank One Pension'," Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said here.

Rathore, a retired Colonel himself, added that the issue was complex and one should wait for the fine print to understand it better.

He said he feels that ex-servicemen across the country would be happy with the government's decision and lauded the role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Before Lok Sabha elections, our Prime Minister Narendra Modi had raised this issue and the UPA government faced so much pressure that they were forced to announce Rs 500 crore," Rathore said.

"I have heard their (Congress) spokesperson saying that Rs 500 crore was announced because the budget estimate of Defence Ministry had mentioned it so. Because they were confused by recommendations of the Koshiyari committee. Congress would have gone ahead by it and given Rs 1,300 crore.

"But we have given Rs 8,000-10,000 crore annually which is in true nature 'One Rank, One Pension'. And therefore, we all must compliment Prime Minister's leadership to stand up in today's difficult times to fulfil commitments and promises," Rathore said.

He said a one-man enquiry committee should be set up so that if any section that feels it had not got justice, could be heard.